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ANTaR ACT: August 2017 update

In this edition, we highlight the Uluru Statement, cover upcoming events including the arrival of Clinton Pryor’s Walk for Justice, and link to some valuable resources.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart

ANTaR ACT were very pleased to welcome the ACT representatives on the Uluru Position Working Group – Chris Bourke and Jennie Gordon – to our August meeting. We heard about the incredible gathering at the National Constitutional Convention that produced a clear and strongly supported Statement from the Heart. This has three key elements: enshrining a First Nations Voice in the Australian Constitution; establishing a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making with Australian governments; and holding a process of truth-telling about Australia’s history and colonisation (overseen by the Makarrata Commission). For more information, see their website: https://www.1voiceuluru.org/.

ACT Events

Clinton’s Walk For Justice: arrival in Canberra – Sunday 3 September, 11am Tent Embassy
After almost a year and 5,580kms, Clinton’s Walk for Justice is reaching its final destination. Clinton will soon be welcomed in Canberra to speak with the Governor General and share the messages he has received from communities along the way. Everyone is invited to come along and support Clinton during this history making visit to Parliament House. Come along for a day of entertainment, food and celebration! Volunteers are needed to help make the day a success. For more details, see: http://antaract.org.au/2017/08/14/3-sept-2017-walk-for-justice-clinton-pryors-arrival-in-canberra/

The Committee on Racial Equality (CORE) is holding the ninth gathering on Sunday 27 August, 2 – 4pm, at the Friends (Quaker) Meeting House cnr Condamine & Bent Streets, Turner. The speaker at this gathering is Serene Fernando: a post-graduate researcher with ANU who has worked extensively with her own Gamilaraay people from north-west NSW researching community education, health and well-being and now local Gamilaraay history. Please RSVP by Friday 25 August to Gedda Fortey, gtfortey@gmail.com or David Purnell, 6259 5078 – david.christine@iinet.net.au.

Also of interest

The 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial at the National Gallery of Australia (to 10 September) commemorates the 50th anniversary of 1967 Referendum that recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australians for the first time. It explores the ongoing resilience of Australia’s Indigenous people since first contact, through to the historical fight for recognition and ongoing activism in the present day. https://nga.gov.au/defyingempire/

Colonial Frontier Massacres in Eastern Australia 1788-1872From the moment the British invaded Australia in 1788 they encountered active resistance from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owners and custodians of the lands. In the frontier wars, which continued until the 1960s, massacres became a defining strategy to eradicate that resistance. As a result thousands of Aboriginal men women and children were killed. This site presents a map, timelines, and information about massacres in Eastern Australia from 1794 when the first massacre was recorded until 1872. The map also includes information about the six known massacres of British colonists in Eastern Australia in the same period. Details of incidents of massacres after 1872 will be included in the next stage of the project.https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres/

ANTaR ACT events

The next ANTaR ACT monthly meeting will be held on Monday 4 September 6pm, at King O’Malleys, in the Snug Room behind the bar. Please email us at info@antaract.org.au if any enquiries. All are welcome to our monthly meetings. Come along and help us in planning the events to mark the 20th anniversary of the Sea of Hands.

Newsletter

We wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which Canberra is situated, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. We would also like to acknowledge other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may visit this area.